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Prepare to Whisk Away with bRUNch 5k!

Published on March 22, 2019September 30, 2019 by jloconnectionsLeave a comment

bRUNch 5k is excited to announce that for this year’s event, the League is whisking away to Aksarben Village on May 4, 2019.

I visited with Jess Winter, Communications Project Manager for the event, about why people should consider participating in the Junior League of Omaha’s annual bRUNch 5K. She shared, “Running with a group is a great way to build community. Exercise groups empower one another and can be your best cheerleaders. You’re all in it together.”

Are you beginning to prepare for bRUNch 5k? Consider downloading apps that feature running programs for beginners, such as Couch to 5K. These programs combine walking and running each week until reaching a continuous run.

Already a seasoned runner? Cross-training options that will add to your endurance include weight training and barre classes.

Jess Winter offered additional insight for those who are unsure about running. “If you are hesitant about running, start slowly and modify if needed. Essentially, you want to set yourself up for success, and if you feel like you’re doing too much, then take a step back and train one less day until you feel confident. If you have knee issues, recovering from an injury or had physical therapy, talk your physical therapist. They are a great resource in supporting your goals and can give some great exercises, stretches and programming if needed.”

Most importantly, Jess advised, “Share your goals! People want to support you.”

Run, brunch, or both! Enjoy the best of both worlds at bRUNch 5K

Additional local resources to keep you motivated and offer support, whether you are an experienced runner or just starting out, can be found at locations below.

Peak Performance
Omaha Running Club
Moms on the Run
Pure Barre West Omaha and Loveland locations
Barre Code West Omaha and Dundee locations
Well Mama
Moms Run this Town – Facebook Group

Junior League of Omaha bRUNch 5K Committee members pose during the 2018 event.

Please join us by registering at https://runsignup.com/Race/NE/Omaha/JuniorLeagueofOmahabRUNch5k2019. For more information on joining the Junior League of Omaha, visit https://www.jlomaha.org/.

Junior League of Omaha Celebrates 100 Years

Published on March 3, 2019May 16, 2019 by jloconnectionsLeave a comment

The 100th anniversary of the Junior League of Omaha is upon us, and the League has planned two events to mark this special occasion. The 100th Anniversary Celebratory Luncheon was held on March 15, at the Marriott Downtown at the Capitol District, and the 100th Anniversary Annual Meeting & Cocktail Reception will be on May 3, at the Joslyn Art Museum. These two events are truly “A Celebration of the Junior League of Omaha’s Past, Present and Future.”

Bethany Banister and Patricia Stillmock are the co-chairs of the 100th Anniversary committee, and they have been creating and executing the plans that surround the festivities for nearly three years. When asked how the history of the League influenced their preparations, they responded, “The team of historians and our committee did an amazing job looking into the history of the League, and it inspired all aspects of our planning.” The Joslyn Art Museum, for example, not only has historical connections to the Junior League, but the architecture of the building dates back to around the same time as the Junior League of Omaha’s establishment.

A great deal of time has been spent on making the 100th anniversary celebrations special, and this includes research into the past, as well as interviews with Sustainers and past members of the League. In addition to studying the records at Junior League of Omaha headquarters, the committee has worked with the Omaha World-Herald, the Durham Museum, and the Douglas County Historical Society to locate anecdotes, photos, and stories from the past. Sustainers have been generous with sharing their archives, and Banister and Stillmock agreed that these interactions have been “the most fun and rewarding part of this journey.”

Highlights from the luncheon include guest speaker, Yesterday’s Lady, Sue McLain, who shared the history of the little black dress. A ten thousand dollar gift was made to The Rose Theater, an organization with whom the Junior League of Omaha has a strong history. And lastly, the anniversary video debuted an interview with the oldest living Junior League of Omaha Past President, who also attended the event!

As we enjoy these special events, we remember the theme: A Celebration of the Junior League of Omaha’s Past, Present and Future. Bethany and Patricia hope that the “League continues to be a strong organization that teaches women how to be great volunteers while making great friendships.”

New Learning and Networking through Junior League Training Opportunities

Published on February 26, 2019 by jloconnectionsLeave a comment

The Junior League Training Committee is halfway through their 2018/2019 event calendar, but far from finished with offering exciting trainings. I recently sat down with Training Chair, Mary Burnett, to recap the events held in the fall and see what exciting events they have coming this spring.

Q: Can you tell us a little bit about the Training Committee and the committee’s role in the Junior League?

A: I always go back to the fact that the Junior League is first and foremost a training organization. We like to offer a combination of events that are focused on training women to be leaders in professional and volunteering roles, as well as trainings that offer a chance for League members to learn a fun new skill and network with other League women. This year we’ve already held trainings on financial acumen, parliamentary procedure, Google Drive, CPR/First Aid, cooking classes, mending clothes, and decorating ornaments with kids!

Parliamentary Procedure training prepared these leaders for future meetings.

Q: How do you and your committee members come up with the types of training events offered? How many do you try to schedule in a year?

A: We use recommendations from multiple sources. We look at annual survey results, talk with League membership, and at the January General Membership Meeting we actually did live polling to help pick some events to plan for the spring. Since our committee has grown, we try to have each coordinator plan one or two events. This year we will have completed twelve trainings by May!

knife skills — League members sharpen skills.

Q: What events do you have coming up this spring that you’d like our membership to be aware of?

A: We are super excited about the events this spring. Our big finale is going to be our “Margaritas and Mulligans” event on May 19. This will include a mini golf training and then a sign-up for a Nine-Hole Scramble. We are opening up this training to Sustainers as well. Also based on the live polling from the January General Membership Meeting, we are going to do a training on wine (that was by far the most popular choice) and meditation. “Meditation and Mimosas” will be held on March 8 and March 23. Mark your calendars! We also have one more event that we will plan for April that is TBD! So keep your eyes posted on the Hot Sheet and Facebook for updates.

women's finance — Growing financially savvy through Women’s Finance Training.

Recruitment for next year’s New Member group begins in February. For more information about joining the Junior League of Omaha, visit https://www.jlomaha.org/join-us/.

Big Red Block Party Celebrates Husker Spirit

Published on December 22, 2018December 22, 2018 by jloconnectionsLeave a comment

This year, the Junior League of Omaha’s Big Red Block Party fundraiser hosted 108 people at the Scott Conference Center. The silent auction was a favorite among attendees with 62 fun, unique packages with a wide range of starting bids, appropriate for all spend levels! Attendees also enjoyed a delicious buffet with rotating, heavy appetizers, two bars, and yard games.

This was the final year for this special event, and Lauren Anderson, the Big Red Block Party Co-Chair, stated, “The most meaningful moment during the event was honoring the previous Chairs and talking about the fundraiser. This event has raised $176,000 for the League over the last nine years, and that deserves to be celebrated.”

Collaboration and communication were two key elements that contributed to Big Red Block Party’s success. As Lauren Anderson, Big Red Block Party Co-Chair, described, “Our committee worked really well together…between our (almost) weekly committee hot sheets and our committee meetings, we were able to efficiently plan our event.” Anderson also credited working with Jen Bartlet, their JLO Sustainer Advisor, and a past Big Red Block Party Chair, as a vital resource who gave both Co-Chair Hunter Taylor and herself additional insight into making the event a success.

When asked if she had any advice for future Junior League of Omaha fundraisers, Anderson responded, “Yes! Create a timeline and stick with it. Check in with your committee, but don’t bombard them with emails. Say thank you. And most importantly, seriously evaluate your event every year to make sure it’s still relevant.”

For more information about upcoming Junior League of Omaha events or to become a member, visit our website at http://www.jlomaha.org.

JLO Past Presidents & Sustainers Luncheon

Published on December 22, 2018 by jloconnectionsLeave a comment

The Junior League of Omaha Foundation hosted the annual Past Presidents and Sustainer Luncheon on a beautiful October day at Champions Run. Kathy Martin, Junior League of Omaha Foundation Board President, welcomed a large group to the luncheon, introducing past Junior League of Omaha Presidents and past Foundation Presidents. Current Junior League of Omaha President Lindsey Tonniges updated the Sustainers on the exciting projects with which the League is currently involved.

The 100th Anniversary Co-Chairs, Patricia Stillmock and Bethany Bannister, spoke on the upcoming events for the centennial celebration of the Junior League of Omaha in 2019. Foundation President Kathy Martin shared, “All the Sustainers are looking forward to attending the March 15th luncheon celebrating our 100th anniversary!” In addition, the Junior League of Omaha Cookbook Co-Chairs, Ashley Rich and Jamie Schneider, were there to promote A Century of Serving: A Centennial Celebration Cookbook.

For more information regarding the Junior League of Omaha, visit the website at www.jlomaha.org. Learn more about the Junior League of Omaha Foundation at https://www.jlomaha.org/foundation/. To order a personal copy of A Century of Serving: A Centennial Celebration Cookbook, visit https://www.jlomaha.org/cookbook.

Cornhole and Cornhuskers

Published on November 8, 2017February 8, 2018 by jloconnectionsLeave a comment

Big Red Block Party is just around the corner on Saturday, November 11th, are you ready for it? This year features a fun spin on tailgating with none other than a “Tailgating Olympics.” So whether or not you call it Cornhole, Corn Toss or Bags, let’s prepare you with a few game rules, after all… there is a Stock the Bar Tailgate prize package on the line!

Let’s start out with a more common game that most have played- Bags. Let’s review some of the rules and see if you have been playing correctly all of these years!

Bags

How to Score During the Game:

Once all bags have been thrown, a bag remaining on the board is worth 1 point and a bag that went in the hole is worth 3 points. Add up how many points you earned and compare them to your opponent’s points. Equal points cancel each other out so that only one team can score per round.

The match shall be played until the first team of contestants reaches 21 points at the completion of an inning.

Ladder Golf

Another game that will be a part of “Tailgate Olympics” this year is Ladder Golf. In case you haven’t played this entertaining game before, let’s break it down so you will be more than ready by November 11th!

Space the game ladders about 15 feet apart and start tossing your bolas. Each player tosses all 3 bolas, and then the next player tosses all 3 bolas. Landing your bola on the top rung is worth 3 points; middle is 2 and bottom rung is 1 point. The first one to 21 without going over is the winner!

Giant Jenga

Last but not least, let’s not forget to mention a crowd favorite- Giant Jenga!

Any number of players can join in a game of Giant Jenga. First, the tower has to be built. Then each player takes a turn removing a block from any level of the tower- except the top. From there the rules are pretty straight-forward- Don’t knock over the tower!

Now you have a leg up on the competition at this year’s Big Red Block Party. These are just a few of the MANY games that will be there. And don’t forget the best part of any great tailgate game- They are often played with a drink in hand!

Grab your friends and start practicing, because this is an event you won’t want to miss!

Recipe of the Month: Cowboy Chic Black Bean Dip

Published on October 3, 2017November 8, 2017 by jloconnectionsLeave a comment

What is your go-to for game day? If your spread includes jarred salsa and a tub of pre-made dip, served with a side frozen wings and a store-bought pizza, know that it does not have to be that way. You can have a tasty, homemade dish in just minutes.

With a few hearty pantry staples and a handful of fresh flavors, Cowboy Chic Black Bean Dip can transform you from second-string to the Most Valuable Player. A real crowd-pleaser, Cowboy Chic Black Bean Dip is one of the recipes in the Junior League of Omaha’s A Century of Serving cookbook, available in Fall 2018.

Cowboy Chic Black Bean Dip

Ingredients

1 teaspoon vegetable oil
1/2 cup chopped onion
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup diced tomato
2/3 cup bottled picante sauce
1/2 teaspoon cumin
1/2 teaspoon Chili powder
1 can black beans (drained and washed)
1/4 cup Monterrey jack cheese, shredded
1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
3 tablespoons Tabasco-if desired

Instructions

Heat oil in skillet. Add onion and garlic, and sauté until tender.
Add tomato, picante sauce, chili powder, cumin, and black beans to skillet. Cook 5 minutes or until thick, stirring constantly. Remove from heat.
Partially mash mixture with a potato masher. Add cheese, cilantro, and lime juice. Stir until cheese melts.
Serve warm with tortilla chips.

After you make Cowboy Chic Black Bean Dip, share a photo on social media using #JLOCookbook.

Boots & Belles Roundup

Published on September 28, 2017November 8, 2017 by jloconnectionsLeave a comment

Boots & Belles (formerly Barn Bash), a fundraiser for the Junior League of Omaha’s projects and initiatives, took place on Friday, August 4, 2017, at the home of Lexie and Shane Frahm in Gretna, Nebraska.

The theme of the evening was a rustic BBQ. White and blue gingham tablecloths popped against the rich, warm tones of the Frahm family’s barn. Vintage outdoor string lights illuminated the venue in which fresh wildflowers adorned each table.

{Inside the Frahm family’s barn}

{Mason jars filled with colorful wildflowers decorated each table.}

Hog Wild Pit BBQ catered the meal of pulled pork sandwiches, baked beans and macaroni and cheese. The Junior League of Omaha Cookbook Committee sponsored a dessert tasting featuring ten decadent and sugary treats, including Ooey Gooey Butter Cake Cookies, Rum Buttercrunch Toffee and Dark Chocolate and Sea Salt Sables.

{The Junior League of Omaha Cookbook dessert tasting was a big hit!}

“This year’s event was a lot of fun. The weather was perfect and it was great to see so many JLO members and guests show their support for the first fundraiser of the year. The planning committee can’t thank the Frahms enough for hosting us at their beautiful property!”

The event drew 70 attendees who enjoyed BINGO, raffle prizes, a specialty cocktail of vodka lemonade and s’mores by the fire.

{Raffle prizes were abundant and included tickets to the Big Red Block Party, an Oktoberfest-themed package (complete with German beer, pretzels and a gift certificate to Gerda’s Bakery), passes to Ditmar’s Orchard and so much more! }

{Guests relaxed indoors and out, many clad in denim and boots!}

{BINGO aficionados enjoyed several rounds of the game while also giving the dessert selection a taste.}

{Host Lexie Frahm and guests dined al fresco on Hog Wild Pit BBQ and refreshing summer cocktails.}

Host Lexie Frahm said, “Thanks to all who attended and planned the Boots and Belle’s event! We couldn’t have asked for better weather for an August evening. Shane and I look forward to hosting this event each League year!”